Nano Tech Center

Nanotechnology

Our research in nanotechnology concerns fundamentals of self-assembly related to nanophotonics.
A key example is the self-assembly of metallic nickel nanostructures on various substrate
materials antecedent to GaN nanowire growth. The nickel functions as catalyst for
growth in MOCVD conditions. GaN nanowires grow where the nickel nanostructures self-assemble.

X-ray Diffraction SEM Laboratory

We are also interested in nanoscale energetics. Research has addressed the interactions
between nickel and aluminum, which exhibit self-propagating high-temperature reaction
when deposited in extremely thin layers.